Round and Square

From Round to Square (and back)

For The Emperor's Teacher, scroll down (↓) to "Topics." It's the management book that will rock the world (and break the vase, as you will see). Click or paste the following link for a recent profile of the project: http://magazine.beloit.edu/?story_id=240813&issue_id=240610

A new post appears every day at 12:05* (CDT). There's more, though. Take a look at the right-hand side of the page for over four years of material (2,000 posts and growing) from Seinfeld and country music to every single day of the Chinese lunar calendar...translated. Look here ↓ and explore a little. It will take you all the way down the page...from round to square (and back again).
*Occasionally I will leave a long post up for thirty-six hours, and post a shorter entry at noon the next day.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Channeling Liam—Yellow Highlighters

Click here for the "Channeling Liam" Resource Center—(all posts available)
Click here for the introduction to the Round and Square series "Channeling Liam" (coming soon)
This is a "small" (小) post—click here for an explanation of Round and Square post lengths.

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One year ago on Round and Square (16 January 2012)—Just Do It Over: Mahler's Ninth Cellphony
Two years ago on Round and Square (16 January 2011)—Wonder Wines: Resource Center

[a] Liamspeak PD

I don't know who you are,
but I will find you...

...and I will tell you that using a highlighter in a book
does not by its very nature "mess up" the book.

Just be neat.

If you are meticulous, the lines can be
smooth and unobtrusive—highlighting key passages and not creating
the unsightly mess I see in used college textbooks.

[b] Wrong! Use the tip for a clean line. RF

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Channeling Liam—Free Will

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One year ago on Round and Square (15 January 2012)—Hurtin' Country: Upbeat and Downcast
Two years ago on Round and Square (15 January 2011)—Kanji Mastery: Resource Center

[a] Liamspeak PD

I don't know who you are,
but I will find you...

...and I will tell you in no uncertain terms that the entire Western
philosophical argument about "free will" is so flawed, from start to
finish, that it is an embarrassment to every bit of the intellectual tradition.

The inability to understand the deep social contextualization of everything
humans do, combined with an utterly binary approach to the "structures"
that we negotiate on many levels every moment of our lives, makes this
a howler that should cause (but won't) twenty-five centuries of
Western philosophers embarrassment for
not even getting the question right.

Ever heard of the ol' farmboy who was climbing the ladder of success?
His dad shouted out to him "Hey, moron—wrong barn."
And that little story reminds me of this sorry excuse for philosophical argument.

Now, carry on willfully...
(and if you persist, I will call you):
...ontological carrion.

[b] Will Freely RF

Monday, January 14, 2013

Channeling Liam—Jottings

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One year ago on Round and Square (14 January 2012)—Displays of Authenticity: The Tebow Shuffle
Two years ago on Round and Square (14 January 2011)—Newsprint Nonpareil: Resource Center

[a] Liamspeak PD

I don't know who you are,
but I will find you...

...and I will tell you that the only way to enjoy your life at the highest levels is to
notice things. Get yourself a notebook, carry it around with you, and jot stuff.

Words aren't necessary and, no, don't do it on your phone or tablet.

[b] Jottings RF

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Channeling Liam—Soft Dental Care

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One year ago on Round and Square (13 January 2012)—Heian Japan: Work
Two years ago on Round and Square (13 January 2011)—Ponder College: Resource Center

[a] Liamspeak PD

I don't know who you are,
but I will find you...

...and I will tell you that it is better for your teeth and gums
to choose a "soft" tootbrush, rather than "middle" or "hard."

[b] Dental "Care" RF

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Channeling Liam—Backup Disks

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On this date on Round and Square's History

12 April 2013—China's Lunar Calendar 2013 04-12
12 April 2013—Assignments: Ethnographic Review
12 April 2012—La Pensée Chinoise: Chinese Civilization (and Thought)
12 April 2011—Breaking the Vessel: Crafting a History

[a] Liamspeak PD

I don't know who you are,
but I will find you...

...and I will remind you that you need three backup disks for
your computer. You should alternate them between home,
office, and some third location of your choice.

You think I'm kidding?

Just lose a year of work, and whine to me later.

[b] Got your back RF

Friday, January 11, 2013

Channeling Liam—Q-Tips

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One year ago on Round and Square (11 January 2012)—Seinfeld Ethnography: Smoking Kramer
Two years ago on Round and Square (11 January 2011)—China's Lunar Calendar: Resource Center

[a] Liamspeak PD

I don't know who you are,
but I will find you...

...and I will tell you that I have traveled the world,
and bought cotton swabs in many countries.
Almost all of them have cheap, awkward
plastic stems, and I hate them.

Yup

Nope